In the heart of Albuquerque, New Mexico, during the annual Gathering of Nations Powwow, a new cultural ambassador was crowned — Dania Wahwasuck, Miss Indian World 2025. In honor of Native American Heritage Month, I wanted to take a moment to recognize this amazing young woman for her courage, dedication, and commitment. She is a true inspiration to many of America’s Indigenous youth and is surely making her mark on the world. Her message is simple yet profound: what this world needs more of is kindness and grace toward one another, grounded in a deep commitment to education and culture.
What Is the Gathering of Nations?
The Gathering of Nations is the largest Native American powwow in North America, held every April at Expo New Mexico in Albuquerque. Over its decades-long history, this gathering has drawn hundreds of tribes from across the continent. More than a festival, it is a celebration of Indigenous identity and resilience. There are dance competitions, singing, a horse parade, an artisan market, and, perhaps most notably, the crowning of Miss Indian World.
What Is the Miss Indian World Pageant About?
Unlike conventional beauty pageants, Miss Indian World is deeply rooted in culture, tradition, and leadership. Founded in the early 1980s, the competition brings together young Indigenous women from tribes across North America. Contestants are judged not merely on appearance, but on their knowledge of their tribe’s traditions, public speaking, talent, dance, interviews, and essays.
The goal of the pageant is to select someone who is both a representative of her people and a cultural ambassador — someone who carries her heritage with pride and inspires others. Someone just like Dania Wahwasuck.
The Importance of Education in Her Role
Education lies at the core of Dania’s platform. A 24-year-old from the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation (and also of Pyramid Lake Paiute descent), she is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Leadership in Diversity & Inclusion with an emphasis on Indigenous Studies at the University of Kansas.
Her passion for learning is deeply personal: as she studies her language and heritage, she feels more connected to her ancestors. She sees education as a powerful tool to address generational challenges and empower Indigenous communities for the future. She believes that without education, Native Americans limit themselves as a whole, and that it takes us out of the game when knowledge and understanding are essential for shaping the future of our people.
Dania Wahwasuck: Her Vision of Kindness and Grace
For her, grace isn’t just a personal value — it’s a guiding principle in how she aims to lead as Miss Indian World.
Dania believes that in a world often divided by misunderstanding or indifference, we need more kindness. “Although social media is a great tool, it can be extremely harmful when used in the wrong ways.” Dania says that within the modeling and pageant community, everyone opens themselves up to the world — so give others grace and show humility. To Dania, it doesn’t matter if she has the crown and sash on; she believes in treating everyone with respect. Grace, she says, can heal, connect, and uplift. As Miss Indian World, she holds herself to that ideal, hoping to inspire others to treat one another with compassion and dignity.
A Message to Native Youth: “You Can Be Anything You Set Your Mind To”
Perhaps one of her most inspiring messages came when she addressed young Indigenous people: “You can do anything you want,” she said. As Miss Indian World, she hopes to serve as proof of that — someone who set her sights high, stayed true to her culture, and let kindness and purpose guide her path.
“I know it sounds so cheesy, but you can literally be anything and accomplish anything you set your mind to.” Dania talks about how her whole life she wanted to be Miss Indian World and is still in awe that there have been over forty different Miss Indian Worlds — and now she is one of them.
Dania began competing in pageants when she was 10 years old. She always took constructive criticism from her mom and her grandpa as she learned her language and culture. She has put in the work since childhood. Dania has held six other titles in addition to being Miss Indian World 2025. Her message is simple: “If you want to go out and do something — if there’s a career path you’re interested in, a job title, even becoming an NBA basketball player — you can do it, as long as you’re putting in the work, staying focused, and having the determination to do so.”
Why Her Role Matters
In an age when stereotypes and misunderstandings about Native Americans still persist, Dania’s leadership as Miss Indian World is more than symbolic. She embodies the strength, wisdom, and grace of her communities. Dania says she would like to thank her mom, Adriana Tobey, who she describes as her biggest supporter and her own symbol of strength, wisdom, and grace.
Through Dania’s advocacy for education, she is building bridges to the younger generation. Through her emphasis on kindness, she reminds all of us — Indigenous and non-Indigenous alike — that compassion is a powerful force.
Her reign is not just a personal achievement; it is a statement: that Indigenous women are leaders, culture-bearers, and advocates. And her vision — of a kinder, well-educated, united world — is one worth listening to.
